Boback first woman to chair House veterans committee

WILKES-BARRE — Rep. Karen Boback, R-Harveys Lake, has been appointed as the first woman chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee by Speaker Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster, for the 2021-22 session.

Boback was recently sworn into her eighth term in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

“I am proud to be part of a team of strong legislative leaders who support our Commonwealth,” Boback said. “It is my honor to have Speaker Cutler’s and my fellow members’ continued trust and support with the chairmanship of this important standing committee.”

The House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee oversees legislation concerning public safety, emergency planning and preparedness, 911 emergency telephone services, fire and emergency medical services response and training, PA National Guard and military/veterans issues, nuclear power plant safety and response programs, flood response and mitigation programs, hazardous material planning and response, emergency communication systems, and homeland security and safety programs and initiatives.

“In the district, I have made veterans and their needs a priority,” Boback explained. “I have held veterans’ outreach in our offices, as well as organized mobile veterans counseling outreach.” Boback has held 13 annual veterans’ recognition events and expos. She is also an active member on the Gino J. Merli Veterans’ Center Advisory Council. She has hosted several fire and EMS seminars to keep emergency responders in her district up to date on current emergency services laws and programs.

Yudichak committees

State Sen. John Yudichak, I-Swoyersville, has been appointed to serve as Chairman of the Pennsylvania Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee for the 2021-2022 legislative session.

Yudichak said he is honored to be selected as chair of the Senate committee that has oversight over several state authorities that are dedicated to community and economic development throughout Pennsylvania.

“I look forward to working with the Wolf Administration and DCED Secretary Dennis Davin to take on the enormous responsibility of rebuilding the Pennsylvania economy as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic,” Yudichak said.

The Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee works closely with the Department of Community and Economic Development and oversees the following authorities: the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority, the Commonwealth Financing Authority, the Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority, and the Pennsylvania Minority Business Development Authority.

Yudichak will also serve on the Aging and Youth Committee, Law and Justice Committee, Rules and Executive Nominations Committee, and the Urban Affairs Committee.

Baker reappointed Judiciary Chair

Known for her bipartisan approach to problem-solving, and a strong commitment to changing laws, policies, and practices that are no longer working, Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township, is again serving as chair of the consequential Senate Judiciary Committee.

“The Judiciary committee is extremely important because of its wide-ranging jurisdiction and the conflicts over the issues brought before it,” Baker said. “In addition to the normally heavy load of legislative proposals, this year brings intensified concerns about justice, fairness, and the protection of fundamental rights.”

Honoring a commitment she made last year, Baker said that her immediate priority is giving the second round of legislative approval, and sending to the voters, a proposed constitutional amendment opening a two-year window to the civil statute of limitations for victims of childhood sexual abuse.

She will also be pushing for new reforms being advanced by Pennsylvania’s Juvenile Justice Task Force.

Baker has also been appointed to the Senate Special Committee on Election Integrity and Reform tasked with examining the uniformity, accuracy, and security of Pennsylvania’s election processes.

New for the 2021-2022 legislative session, Senator Baker will serve as a member of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee. Baker will again act as vice-chair of the Labor and Industry Committee. She will be a member of the Aging and Youth, Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, and Veterans’ Affairs and Emergency Preparedness committees.